Oleh Syniehubov, kharkiv’s regional governor, confirmed a city-wide, new attack in the overnight hours. This horrible tragedy took the lives of at least three people and injured 21 passengers, including a one-and-a-half month old baby boy and a 14-year-old girl. This was the most severe attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city during the almost two-year-old war.
Kharkiv’s elected mayor, Ihor Terekhov, called the assault unprecedented in terms of severity. It had a devastating impact across the city. This well-coordinated double attack was responsible for obliterating eighteen tenement buildings and thirteen private homes. It released a volley of short and long-range missiles, drones and guided aerial munitions.
As per Syniehubov, Russia carried out the attack with 48 Shahed drones, as well as two missiles and four aerial glide bombs. Terekhov said that residents went through a very frightening night with dozens of blasts. The parallel strikes throughout Kharkiv were representative of the increasing level of conflict that we’ve seen as the situation with Ukraine and Russia continues to expand.
The attack on Kharkiv came as the two countries were reportedly deep in talks over a Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange. At the same time, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha criticized humanitarian assistance and urged more international pressure on Moscow to stop its aggressive drive.
“To put an end to Russia’s killing and destruction, more pressure on Moscow is required, as are more steps to strengthen Ukraine.” – Andrii Sybiha
In the early hours of Monday morning, the Ukrainian air force announced that Russia had targeted the entire territory of Ukraine with a massive missile and drone attack. This attack tragically led to at least seven deaths. Ukrainian air defense forces were able to shoot down 206 drones and nine missiles launched during this overnight attack.
“Russia continues its terror against civilians. Hundreds of drones and missiles rained down on Ukraine overnight.” – Andrii Sybiha
Kharkiv “experienced what’s being called the worst night ever,” wrote one official. The overwhelming extent of the damage underscores the serious and persistent dangers civilians continue to experience in this war.
“Kharkiv had a particularly terrible night. 53 drones, four guided aerial bombs, and one missile. At least three people were killed, with 21 injured.” – Andrii Sybiha
As the Kharkiv situation illustrates, now perhaps more than ever, the conflict poses a direct danger to civilian existence. With the eyes of the world on developments in Ukraine, public pressure and the demand for Russia to face meaningful consequences has grown.